About
Mandy Sammurtok is an Inuk lawyer, community leader, and lifelong advocate for Inuit rights, justice, and wellbeing. Born in Chesterfield Inlet and raised in Winnipeg, Mandy’s path has been grounded in the strength and teachings of her family. Her father, a residential school survivor, inspired her to pursue law so Inuit could be represented by people who understand their history, culture, and lived experiences. After earning her law degree from the University of Manitoba, Mandy began her legal career in northern Manitoba as an articling student, later moving to Nunavut as a criminal defence lawyer. Her time in the North deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers faced by Inuit navigating colonial legal systems often compounded by poverty, trauma, and a lack of culturally informed supports.
Education
When it was time for her to go to university, Mandy embraced what her father had told her. She went to law school at the University of Manitoba. When she graduated, her father cried. He was so proud.